Covalent organic framework@Ti3C2Tx composite as solid phase microextraction coating for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in honey samples

In this study, covalent organic framework@MXene (COF@Ti3C2Tx) composites were synthesized and employed as solid phase microextraction coatings for isolation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from honey samples. The developed composites possessed unique structural characteristics and multiple interactions (pi-pi and hydrophobic interaction, etc.), which provided them with excellent extraction capacity towards the targeted PAHs. Under optimized conditions, the resultant COF@Ti3C2Tx-coating fiber-based HS-SPME/GC-FID method exhibited a wide linear range (2.0-2000 ng g-1), good linearities (r > 0.9964), and low limits of detection (0.20-0.60 ng g-1). The recoveries of PAHs in the honey samples were in the range of 73.2-112%, with RSDs less than 9.4%. In addition, the findings showed that the composite-based fiber offers a long lifetime, high enhancement factors (483-598), and excellent fiber-to-fiber reproducibility (RSDs <10.5%, n = 3). This work not only details the development of a multi-functional composite, but it also presents an effective strategy for the determination of trace PAHs in complex food matrix.

Automated summary

In this study, covalent organic framework@MXene composites were synthesized and used as solid phase microextraction coatings for the isolation of PAHs from honey samples. The developed composites exhibited excellent extraction capacity and analytical performance, as well as long lifetime and good reproducibility. This study provides an effective method for the analysis of trace PAHs in complex food samples.